Unanswered Prayer
One of the verses that I like is Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”
Some might say I like this verse because its focused on me, and what I can get. Lately I’ve been struggling with coming to reality that although I’ve asked and prayed … it has not been given to me. This is hard for me because often I’ll find myself striving after my own ambitions and desires, and in my arrogant and prideful mind I justify it and believe that my way is the right way.
Seeing lately that there is an unanswered prayer in my life its made me really step back and wonder why, Why isn’t God making this happen. I mean come on God I’m on a time table here! Its funny to say but that honestly what I’m doing in my thoughts and actions.
My God, Savior, and Lord is not this puppet that I can simply use to bring me joy and possessions. In Romans 8, God clearly tells us how we are predestined to be conformed to the image of His son! … who is Jesus Christ. Who came into the same world we are in and selflessly laid down his life for us. Coming to serve and not be served.
The Christian life is not about getting what you want; rather, it is about taking up your cross daily (Matthew 16:24-25), dying to your selfish desires and living for the glory of the Sovereign God who created you, sustains you and is working in you. The promise that all things work together for good is meant to remind us of the sovereignty of God over all things. It reminds us that even in situations we would never choose or desire, God is working. It reminds us that the God who declared us to be just, righteous and cleansed, is working to sanctify us. And this is the God who will complete the work in us.
So with all that said, I’ve been extremely convicted as I’m treating God as the giver of gifts and not offering anything back. God’s really showing me how selfish and prideful I’m being. I need to follow Christ’s example of coming to serve and not be served.
I feel that James 4:3 sums it up well!
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.”
I’m having to take a look at why I asked God for this, why I felt it was needed. I need to ask him for guidance and for his will to be done in this situation. Although I don’t why its unanswered, but I know that if I submit to God’s plan then his will for my life will be accomplished! Just something thats been on my mind! Still praying for it! But I’m praying for God’s will above mine!
And that right there is the attitude in which we should always approach the Throne, with our motives checked, without timidity, and without grasping for our “rights.” If you don’t already do so, try keeping a private journal for your prayers. I have one that goes back nearly five years and as I read through it now I’m seeing things I prayed for way back then finally being answered now, not in the way I initially expected but in a way that is far better than I imagined. Another thing we often forget is that Matthew 7:7 refers to the desire to know God fully. As we seek Him and His will, Jesus promises that we will find it. And it looks like that is exactly what you are seeking to do. Don’t give up!
Thank you!! I Love the idea of a personal prayer journal! Defiantly making a trip out to Walmart or Target soon!
You are right that God is not a puppet dancing on our strings. Neither is He some sort of vending machine or it all becomes a user-pay system. He does answer our prayers: “Yes,” “No,” and “Later.”
I’ve found God always supplies my needs, but not always my wants. Knowing myself, some of my want’s will lead me to ruin anyway. I don’t always make the best choices for myself.
I like the idea of a prayer journal. many of my friends use them. I confess that I tend to get a bit lazy in that regard. Good to see you are seeking. I pray that you may find.
Thanks! Love the analogy of that user-pay system, so true. Also he always supplies my needs, but not always my wants! A good thing for me to ember when I’m asking for things. Our God is so Amazing!!!!!!
Happy to have found your blog– I am waiting on God, with a prayer I’ve been offering up to him for ten years. I’m trusting he knows what is best–even though I’m really an impatient person. Thanks for you post…
I like the reminder you gave me, that God is always working. We may not always understand or appreciate His methods, but learning to trust Him and rest in the knowledge that He is in charge is so important to the Christian walk.
Thanks also for stopping by to read my poetry! I appreciate it very much.
Man, I could have written this myelf – so true – I have a hard time keeping the waiting in perspective – I have a BIG (to me) issue that God and I have been talking about …and it began years ago, sometimes I think he already answered and I doubted His answer, so now I’m asking for the proof the 2nd time without the fog I seem to put in the way of seeing His reply. Good stuff – amen
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Very true! One pastor elucidated further on how God answers prayers: If my requests are wrong, God says, “NO”; If my timing is wrong, God says, “SLOW”; If I am wrong, God says, “GROW”; but if all is right, God says, “YES”!